Putting Lesson 1

Your chances of putting more consistently will improve when your setup at address is sound. While there is no one way to putt, your setup will either help or hinder your ability to develop a repeatable putting stroke.

The setup suggested is one that is balanced, free from tension, and one that will aid your putting stroke.

Your posture at address is not only important in your full swing, it is also the foundation of a good putting stroke.Being comfortable is not the same as being correct. Golfers often slouch over the ball with rounded shoulders while bending from the waist. Unfortunately a poor putting posture gets in the way of a smooth pendulum stroke.

You should be aware of the four Setup Lines recommended by Todd Sones.

There is a tendency for many golfers to align left with their feet and their shoulders. While this is helpful for distance putts, it is not recommended for close-in putts when direction is more important.

Parallel alignment with your feet, knees, hips and shoulders is considered to be the best position for accuracy.

There are a number of different putting grips. The importance of any putting grip is that your hands work together.

There is a tendency with a conventional reverse-overlap grip for the right hand to overpower the left hand (right-handed players). This has lead to a number of variations such as left hand low and the claw grip.

A good way to balance your shoulder line and neutralise one hand dominating another is to use an oversized grip. This allows your hands to be placed alongside each other on the grip.

You need to be able to place your hands on the grip in an acceptable manner. There is still debate as to whether the grip should run through your palms or your fingers. However, most players grip their putter in their palms.

When you putt you don't want the butt of your putter to move inside your hands. It is easier to grip the handle of the putter more solidly when you use a larger than standard grip.

You should grip the putter so there is no tension in your forearms. Keeping a light grip is better than holding your putter too firmly. The amount of pressure should be just enough to control any unwanted movement at the butt end of your putter.

Web PagesPutting Setup - A Precise Setup Creates the Foundation for a Repeatable StrokePutting Posture - Cut a Smart Image by Standing to the Ball AthleticallyPutting Alignment - Set Up Square and Take It from There is Sound AdvicePutting Stance - A Neutral Setup with Your Feet Reduces the Potential for ErrorsBall Position - Any Old Spot Out in Front of You just Won't DoPutting Grip - Get a Handle on How to Hold Your Putter with Both HandsGrip Pressure - Two Smart Ways to Achieve a Constant Hold on Your PutterPutting Triangle - Maintaining Its Shape is Important to Your Putting Stroke